Doing the Davis program at home
Question:
Can I do this program on my own, just by reading the book?
Answer:
A parent working at home cannot replicate the comprehensive program that is offered by experienced Davis Facilitators.
However, the book The Gift of Dyslexia contains enough basic information about the Davis approach, and the theory behind it, to enable parents, tutors, or teachers to begin working with students on their own.
A dyslexic teenager or adult cannot work entirely by themselves to use the methods explained by the book, but they may be able to work successfully with the help of a friend or family member.
Many people have experienced great success just from following the steps laid out in the book. The degree of success varies depending on the abilities and level of motivation of the students and their helpers.
Many people choose to supplement the book with other Davis materials available at our online store. A home kit containing all needed materials is a available.
Parents and other helpers are also welcome to attend our 4-Day Gift of Dyslexia workshops. This workshop might be especially helpful for parents who are homeschooling or supporting two or more children at home.
For more information, see:
Materials available:
- The Gift of Dyslexia, by Ron Davis (2010 Edition)
- Davis Orientation and Symbol Mastery Home Kit
Training workshops:
- Upcoming Gift of Dyslexia Workshops
- Davis Learning Strategies Workshops (Geared to K-3 classroom teachers)
Hi
Am working at home with 8 yr old grandchild. Can only work 2 days a wek and will have a couple of months break. It is so important for her. Reading is still mentally draining for her but she has improved. Is there any creative way to do this method online between tutor and child? I also find that she cannot read ‘any’ word if she hhas no meaning for it. Recently two words were ‘canal’ and ‘widow’. I had to give her understanding of these words for her to pronounce them. Is this usual?
How many words is usual to do in one session or day?
The Davis program is available online — you can find a list of Facilitators offering online services here: https://www.davismethod.org/online
It makes sense that your daughter needs to know the meaning of a word before reading it. That is the logic behind modeling the meanings of trigger words, which usually have abstract or ambiguous meanings. Because most dyslexics think in pictures rather than words, they need to know meaning first. It’s just that some words can be more easily pictured — that is, you might show your granddaughter a picture of a canal, but you can’t find a picture of an “of” or an “if” — so those require the clay.
At age 8 you would expect a relaxed pace, especially if working on your own. There is no single answer as to how many words to model in a session — the key is mastery, so it really is a matter of matching the pace of the program to the child’s needs.
I was looking into the program for myself and the price is out of my price range. I can’t afford 3350. I have been fighting with this leading problem all my life I am now 48. The beatings I got from my mother because of my grades. Now to find something that can help me and I can’t afford it.
Tracey, if you have a friend or family member who is willing to help you, then you can start working on your own from the book. The key techniques that are essential to all Davis program are all explained in detail in The Gift of Dyslexia.